The reports addressed permitting for fossil fuel electricity generating units and how government agencies ensure compliance and regulations that impact coal-fueled electricity generating units. We’ll take a look at each report below.

Permitting for Fossil Fuel Electricity Generating Units

The first report was conducted at the request of legislators to examine what information the EPA maintains on New Source Review (NSR) permits issued to fossil fuel electricity generating units and the challenges government agencies face in ensuring NSR permit compliance. NSR permits are required to construct new or make certain modifications at existing power plants. These permits can take up to three years to issue and can mandate the installation of costly control devices. The GAO found that the NSR permits were characterized by complexity and controversy, and that the EPA does not maintain complete information on NSR permits issued to fossil fuel electricity generating units. The GAO recommended that the EPA develop a centralized source of data on NSR permits to aid industry and state regulators. While the EPA agreed that its procedures had gaps, it disagreed with GAO’s recommendations.

While the EPA may not be immediately responsive to GAO’s suggestions, the problems have been officially brought to the EPA’s attention. If you’d like to learn more about how these regulations might affect your business, connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter @randracsek or send me an email.

Robynn Andracsek is an environmental engineer at Burns & McDonnell. She specializes in air quality permitting and assists industrial and utility clients so they can obtain operating and construction air permits for their projects. An experienced speaker and writer, Robynn is also a contributing editor and monthly columnist for Power Engineering magazine.